All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 657: ,_2
If only I were really a man...
...
The light from the pile of firewood inside the Daoist Temple was dim.
Gently wiping the two swords inside the Sword Box, Su Bei felt a new flow of energy coursing through his body and murmured to himself, "The sword needs nurturing."
The Qingping Sword had become second nature to him, but his control over the Missing Departure still left much to be desired.
The myriad laws of the world all stemmed from the same origin. What countless cultivators had sought since ancient times was the Great Longevity that eludes death.
Only cultivators who achieved Minor Longevity truly deserved the title of "Immortal," having reached the initial stage of Achieving Dao. For a Sword Cultivator, while it wasn't as dramatic as achieving complete unity with one's sword, reaching the apex of cultivation required, at the very least, nurturing a Sword Spirit.
A Sword Spirit of one's own.
Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His entire Dantian Knowledge Sea opened completely, his soul dispersing and merging with the heavens and earth around him. In this state, he saw himself seated in meditation.
His soul wound around the Missing Departure sword, then returned to his body.
Touching the blade again, he felt it was noticeably more familiar than a moment before.
Seeing this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction, then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork, and began roasting it over the fire.
"The sword is well-nourished."
Missing Departure: "..."
「Bright flowers, a dim moon, veiled in light mist.」
Footsteps approached gently from behind Su Bei. The flickering firelight hazily revealed familiar white veils.
The sky was moonless, and everything around was somewhat dim.
The corners of Su Bei's mouth curled into a smile. Without so much as a glance, he pulled the woman into his embrace and laughingly said, "Ji Baoer, why have you come back alone?"
"Tell me! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"
...
As he spoke... his hands were already beginning to roam. Pressing down on her, his lips brushed her earlobe... his touch following the curves of her body.
Li Zijun's eyes were wide with shock, her mind blank, as Su Bei effortlessly pulled her closer.
Feeling his hands familiarly caressing her body, she was unable to think for a moment.
Having just bathed, her body still carried a fragrance, creating an enchanting atmosphere within the Daoist Temple.
Her complexion gradually flushed, though it was unclear whether it was due to the embarrassing position she found herself in or because of the wrist he held firmly in his grasp.
Su Bei frowned slightly, starting to sense that something was amiss.
Ji Baoer should have been more... responsive? And she wouldn't feel this inexperienced. He could even feel the woman beneath him trembling.
"Mas... Master."
Li Zijun finally regained her composure from the shock, her small hands frantically pushing at Su Bei, her voice tense, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... I'm Zi Jun..."
...
Her voice carried a hint of grievance. She turned her body to the side, biting her lip.
Su Bei instantly froze, leaning down to stare blankly at the woman before him.
What beastly act had he just committed?
The atmosphere grew awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfortingly stroke her head but feared this gesture might be misunderstood. His large hand suspended in mid-air, he swallowed hard.
"Disciple, I didn't know it was you..."
"You were wearing your Master's wife's robes, and the firelight was dim..."
Li Zijun looked down, giving a muffled response, her facial expression indiscernible.
"Master... could you please get off first?"
...
Su Bei gave her an awkward smile, then gently rose. He touched his nose and said thoughtfully, "I truly didn't know..."
With that, he grasped her snowy wrist, intending to pull her to her feet.
The flickering firelight danced across the faces of the two, each lost in their own thoughts.
For some reason, as Su Bei looked at Li Zijun's jade-like, translucent complexion, he felt a sudden impulse, and his heart began to race. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
His actions just now had been undeniably bold, far more so than with Nan Ji. The sensations Li Zijun evoked in him were distinctly different.
Yet, her gentleness, coupled with an almost imperceptible distance, evoked a strange sensation in Su Bei.
As if forgetting the earlier awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand. He extended two fingers, cautiously gliding them towards Li Zijun's face.
He hesitated for a moment but eventually made contact with her smooth, jade-like cheek.
Li Zijun's delicate body trembled slightly, her eyes bright as stars. She shifted, creating a little space, but this time she did not react violently. She closed her eyes, allowing Su Bei to softly stroke her beautiful face with two fingers.
Gentle and smooth as jade.
Suddenly, Su Bei caught sight of pearl-like tears rolling down from the corner of Li Zijun's eyes, trailing along her snow-white cheeks.
The flickering firelight illuminated two tear tracks.
Su Bei's hand paused, then gently slid to Li Zijun's tender chin, lifting it to gaze upon her stunning visage.
With two fingers, he gently wiped away her tears, softly saying, "I'm sorry."
"As your Master, I..."
Li Zijun's eyes met Su Bei's, brimming with tears.
She didn't even know why she was crying.
Was it because of his offense?
Or because there was no possible future for them together?
Seeing that momentary distracted look in his eyes, Li Zijun didn't know what expression she should wear.
Was it helplessness?
"Flowers in the mirror, moon on the water."
Li Zijun gently lifted her head, and then the corners of her mouth curled into a smile, hiding the last tear in her eyes. "Disciple doesn't blame Master."
"Sister Nan Ji gave me the dress, which is why Master mistook me."
"..."
Su Bei gave her a sheepish smile, suppressing the terrifying thought that had just flared up in him.
Why were all his disciples so strange?
Each one seemed as if they had spent long years with him, and he always sensed an indescribable emotion connecting them.
Just then, the door opened.
Ji Nanjue, having changed into a different garment, walked in. With a puzzled expression, she surveyed the scene before her.
Barefoot, she sat beside Su Bei, wiping the lingering water droplets from her skin.
A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. Usually, he would have pounced on her by now. Why was he so calm today?
What had happened between them while she was away?
The atmosphere was so odd.
"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted?"
Su Bei smiled at her, and then wrapped his arms around Ji Nanjue.
It seemed that within Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue felt a complex mix of emotions. She lifted her head to kiss him on the corner of his lips.
She had been thinking a great deal. She knew the road ahead would be long and arduous. Life was unfeeling, and it would make their journey together exceptionally difficult. Yet, being able to enjoy this brief moment of peace brought her deep satisfaction.
Her perspective had subtly shifted.
—Not asking for eternity, but cherishing what they once had.
"It's nothing."
"It's late; we should sleep..."
Su Bei stroked her hair.
Ji Nanjue rose, took the seemingly distracted Li Zijun's hand, and carefully examined the dress she was wearing, nodding. "Zi Jun, this dress suits you quite well..."
Li Zijun's face turned crimson.
Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and said with feigned coldness, "To punish you, tonight you will sleep outside, and I'll cuddle with Zi Jun."
"How about that, Zi Jun?"
She winked at Li Zijun.
Li Zijun paused, looked up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and reluctantly said, "That doesn't seem right... It's about to rain outside."
Su Bei knew Nan Ji was giving him a way out. She must have perceived the awkwardness from before.
His heart warmed at the thought. He looked at Ji Nanjue and said, "I'll just go outside then..."
Just at that moment, a faint sound of footsteps came from not far away.
The sudden noise made everyone frown slightly, and Su Bei said confusedly, "Who could be out walking at this late hour?"
...
